Winona Area Public Schools

Testing and Assessment

State Testing
District Testing

State Testing

Updated 8/24/22

Please click on the links to the right for schedules specific to individual schoools.

Test Name	Description	Purpose	Who	When
ACCESS for EL	Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening Proficiency Scores	• Instructional Planning • Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement • Accountability	Grades K-12 English Language Learners	Jan – Mar
ACT plus Writing (Paper)	College Entrance Exam	• Interest Inventory • Student Profile • College Preparatory	Grade 11-12	Late Spring
Compass	College Placement Diagnostic Students not ready for Career and College	• Placement • Evaluate incoming students • Connect students to the resources	Grade 11	Spring
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs)	Grade level tests of achievement against state standards in reading, math, and science	• Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement • Accountability	• Reading: Grades 3‐8, 10 • Math: Grades 3‐8, 11 • Science: Grades 5, 8, 10	Mar -May
Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)	Alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.	• Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement • Accountability	• Reading: GR 3‐8, 10 • Math: GR 3‐8, 11 • Science: GR 5, 8, 10	Mar - May
NEAP	A congressionally mandated project administered administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Dept. of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences	• A common measure of student achievement • School Improvement	Grade 8	Time varies.

District Testing

Updated 8/24/22

Test Name	Description	Purpose	Who	When
Accuplacer	A suite of tests that determines knowledge in math, reading and writing in preparation to enroll in college-level courses.	Determine enrollment eligibility in concurrent enrollment courses.	Grades 10-12	Spring
Adaptive Formative Assessment for Teachers (FAST) Math and Reading	Computer-adaptive, norm criterion-referenced assessment that uses predictive validity evidence to set those criteria.	• Student's programming • Instructional needs	Grades 1-4	Fall Winter Spring
AP Exams	The AP Exam is the final after completing an AP class. These standardized exams are designed to measure mastery of course content.	A successful score can earn credit and advanced placement in college.	Grades 10-12	May
AVANT	Avant creates paths to proficiency with innovative tools, real-world language proficiency tests, and scoring aligned with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.	• Instructional Planning • Differentiation • Monitoring Reports • School Improvement	Grade 8 Rios students; Foreign language class students	Feburary and May.
Comprehensive Final Exam	Course level test of achievement against state standards and course content.	• Instructional Planning • Monitoring Reports • School Improvement	Grades 9-12	Upon completion of a credit
DESSA	An empirical, standardized social and emotional competence (SEC) assessment with editions that support students K-12	• Student's programming • Instructional needs	Grades 7-12	Fall and Spring
Formative Assessment for Teachers (FAST) Benchmark Assessment	Teacher administered screener of early literacy skills and curriculum based measurements.	• Student's programming • Instructional needs	Reading Grades K-4 Math Grades K-1	Fall Winter Spring
Instructional Text Level (ITL): (Guided Reading Levels)	Measurement used to determine reading level.	• Student's programming • Instructional needs	Grades 1-4	Fall, Winter, Spring
PSAT	Standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the United States.	• Instructional Planning • Differentiation • Placement • School Improvement
Standards Based Assessments	Grade‐level tests of achievement against state standards in some curricular areas.	• Instructional Planning • Differentiation • Monitoring Reports • School Improvement	Grades K-12	All Year

School Testing Schedules:

Learn More: